Hammock System

ABSTRACT

A hammock system integrates a hammock, insulation around the sleeper, a bug net, and tarp using zippers for users that want to rest in hammocks during cold, wet, or buggy conditions. The hammock system may include an over quilt that zips to the hammock and line or shoelace at the foot end of the hammock which is configured to stop cold air from entering the hammock system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/338,768, entitled “HAMMOCK SYSTEM,” filed on May 19, 2016, and U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/358,422, entitled “HAMMOCK SYSTEM,” filedon Jul. 5, 2016, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a hammock system.

BACKGROUND

It is desirable to use hammocks in a variety of deployments, e.g.,depending on climate and weather. For example, in warm, dry weather,with no bugs, a simple hammock, suspended between two trees can provideexcellent sleep. However, users that want to rest in hammocks duringcold, wet, or buggy conditions often require more than a simple hammock.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect the hammock system has a bug net having, a first zippertrack extending along a part of an edge of the bug net and a secondzipper track extending along a part of an edge of the bug net, a hammockhaving a head end, a foot end, an inner side, and an outer side, inwhich the inner side comprises a third zipper track and a fourth zippertrack extending along the inner side at least a part of a distance fromthe head end to the foot end and the outer surface comprises a fifthzipper track and a sixth zipper track extending along the outer surfaceat least a part of a distance from the head end to the foot end, thefifth zipper track is configured to zip together with the first zippertrack, and the sixth zipper track is configured to zip together with thesecond zipper track, and an over quilt that has a head end, a foot end,a right side, and a left side, in which the right side of the over quiltcomprises a seventh zipper track configured to zip together with thethird zipper track, and the left side of the over quilt comprises aneighth zipper track configure to zip together with the fourth zippertrack.

In one embodiment the hammock system also has a tarp having a top sideand a bottom side, the bottom side of the tarp has a ninth zipper track,and a top edge of the bug net further has a tenth zipper trackconfigured to zip together with the ninth zipper track.

In one embodiment the over quilt of the hammock system also has an overquilt foot pillow located at the foot end of the over quilt.

In one embodiment of the hammock system, the bug net is bunched aroundthe head end and the foot end of the hammock.

In one embodiment of the hammock system, the bug net has drawstringswhich are used to bunch the bug net around the head end and the foot endof the hammock.

In one embodiment the hammock system has an under quilt and a fasteningmember having a left end and a right end, in which the fastening memberpasses through the foot end of the under quilt, the left end of thefastening member and the right end of the fastening member pass throughholes in the hammock from the outer surface of the hammock to the innersurface of the hammock, and the fastening member is fastened above theover quilt foot pillow.

In one embodiment of the hammock system, the holes in the sides of thehammock are reinforced.

In one embodiment of the hammock system, the fastening member is ashoelace.

In one embodiment of the hammock system, the fastening member is a line.

In another aspect the hammock system has a hammock which has a head end,a foot end, an inner side, and an outer side, in which the inner sidecomprises a first zipper track and a second zipper track extending alongthe inner side at least a part of a distance from the head end to thefoot end, and an over quilt having a head end, a foot end, a right side,and a left side, in which the right side of the over quilt comprises athird zipper track configured to zip together with the first zippertrack, and the left side of the over quilt comprises a fourth zippertrack configure to zip together with the second zipper track.

In another aspect the hammock system has a hammock having a head end, afoot end, an inner surface, and an outer surface, an over quilt having ahead end, a foot end, a right side, and a left side, in which the overquilt further has an over quilt foot pillow located at the foot end ofthe over quilt, an under quilt, and a fastening member having a left endand a right end, in which the fastening member passes through the footend of the under quilt, the left end of the fastening member and theright end of the fastening member pass through holes in the hammock fromthe outer surface of the hammock to the inner surface of the hammock,and the fastening member is fastened above the over quilt foot pillow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Various objectives, features, and advantages of the disclosed subjectmatter can be more fully appreciated with reference to the followingdetailed description of the disclosed subject matter when considered inconnection with the following drawings, in which like reference numeralsidentify like elements.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary cross-sectional view of a hammock system,according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary side view of a hammock system, according tosome embodiments;

FIG. 3 shows an expanded view of the left side of the cross-sectionalview of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4 shows an expanded view of the of the foot end of the hammocksystem, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary over quilt for a hammock system, according tosome embodiments;

FIG. 6 shows an expanded view of the over quilt foot pillow, accordingto some embodiments;

FIG. 7 shows a top view of an exemplary under quilt of the hammocksystem, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary top view of the foot end of a hammock system,according to some embodiments;

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary bug net for a hammock system, according tosome embodiments; and

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary tarp for a hammock system, according to someembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For users that want to rest in hammocks during cold, wet, or buggyconditions, they may incorporate additional features in addition to ahammock. For example, users may adapt the hammock to deal with thefollowing exemplary conditions:

(A) Cold climates can be addressed with a quilt (or similar device),suspended under the hammock, insulating the underside of the sleeper,where heat is otherwise lost without insulation. Over the sleeper,inside the hammock, a sleeping bag, quilt or blanket may also be used tokeep the sleeper warm.

(B) Precipitation can be addressed with a tarp, stretched out over thehammock, in a roof-like configuration, with the ridge directly over, andin line with, the hammock. The tarp shields the hammock and user fromprecipitation.

(C) Bugs can be addressed with a bug net, integrated onto the hammock ina variety of ways, resulting in bug protection inside the hammock forthe hammock user. In one embodiment the bug net is configured to provideprotection in the space between the hammock and the tarp, with a sidezipper entry.

The techniques described herein provide for a hammock system thatintegrates a hammock, insulation around the sleeper, a bug net and tarp.The hammock system may be used with or without each component, asdescribed further herein, and each component may also be usedindependently from one another. In some embodiments, particularcomponents are designed for use with other components, such as the bugnet, which is designed for use with the tarp. As described furtherherein, the configuration of the various components with one another isdone in a very user-friendly way to provide a complete and adaptablewilderness shelter-and-bedding package.

Insulation around the sleeper can be provided to the sleeper with twoindependent components, namely the over quilt and the under quilt. Theover quilt can be attached to the hammock by zipping its edges to theinsides of the hammock, suspending the over quilt over the sleeper. Theunder quilt is suspended underneath the hammock. The foot end edge ofthe under quilt is drawn tight, as well as suspended by, a line/shoelacewhich passes through the under quilt foot end edge like a drawstring,and is then passed through slight holes in the hammock sides near thefoot end of the hammock, as described further herein.

Shelter from precipitation can be provided to the sleeper with a tarp.As described further herein, the tarp can have a bug net zipper track onits underside, and may have some conveniently placed loops for generalattachment, for example, gear attachment or connection to the outside ofthe bug net. A zipper track comprises the barbed teeth comprising onehalf of a zipper. A zipper track may be connected to another zippertrack using a slider that moves along the rows of teach and meshes themtogether. One of skill in the art would understand that although zippersare used throughout the specification, other types of attachments whichperform substantially the same function could be used in place of thezipper tracks.

Protection from bugs can be provided to the sleeper with the bug net,which can be cylindrical in shape, as described further herein. Theentire top edge of the bug net can include a zipper track for zipping toa zipper track on the underside of the tarp. The bottom edge of the bugnet can also include one or more zipper tracks for interfacing with theoutside surface or edge of the hammock, and/or a drawstring that passesthrough the bug net portions that are disposed at the ends of thehammock so that the bug net may be drawn tight around the ends ofhammock. The bug net may be swapped out for solid material (e.g., forcold environments), since the solid material can restrict air flowthrough the hammock system.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary cross-sectional view of a hammock system 100,according to some embodiments. The hammock system 100 includes a hammock102, an under quilt 104, an over quilt 106, a bug net 108, and a tarp110.

The hammock 102 can be, for example, a hammock that can be mounted totwo trees using lines that extend from the ends of the hammock (shownfurther in, for example, FIG. 2). The hammock can be made of variousmaterials such as, for example, 1.6-2 oz rip-stop nylon, and/or anyother suitable material that can be used for lightweight, qualitybackpacking hammocks. A person may lay down in the space between thehammock and the over quilt, as indicated by “PLH” as seen in FIG. 1.

The under quilt 104 provides additional warmth to the person using thehammock 102. The under quilt 104 is disposed along the bottom of thehammock 102 such that the under quilt 104 substantially covers theunderside of the hammock 102. The side edge 104A of the under quilt 104include a side edge stretch cord, which is shown in FIG. 7, anddiscussed in more detail below.

Similar to the under quilt 104, the over quilt 106 also provides warmthto the person using the hammock 102. The over quilt 106 is disposed overthe portion of the hammock 102 in which the person lies. The sides ofthe over quilt 106 can be mounted to the inside of the hammock 102 usingzipper tracks that run along its edges, which is shown in FIG. 3. Theover quilt 106 can be made of, for example, any material being used forlightweight, quality over quilts for hammock backpacking.

The bug net 108 prevents mosquitos and other insects from entering thespace between the hammock 102 and the tarp 110. The bottom edge of thebug net 108 can be zipped to the outside of the hammock 102, a fewinches below and along the side edges. The bug net 108 is bunched aroundthe ends of the hammock, with drawstrings which run through the bottomedge of the bug net 108. The top edge of the bug net 108 can be mountedto the tarp 110 by connecting the zipper track on the top edge of thebug net to the zipper track on the bottom side of the tarp, as discussedin further detail below.

The tarp 110 is disposed over the hammock 102 to protect it from theelements (e.g., rain or snow). The tarp 110 is configured like a ridgeline 114 that is formed by tying a line from each end of the tarp to thetwo trees to which the hammock 102 is also mounted. Lateral tie downlines can be used to secure the edges of the tarp 110 to the ground orother objects to secure the tarp (e.g., so that the tarp 110 maintainsits configuration). The tarp 110 is configured in such a manner to allowa person to enter and exit the hammock 102 which is suspended under theshelter of the tarp 110.

While the hammock system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a number ofdifferent components, one of skill in the art can appreciate that thehammock system 100 is designed to be configurable so that one or more ofthe illustrated components can be omitted. For example, it may bedesirable (e.g., on a hot day) to remove the under quilt 104 and/or theover quilt 106. As another example, if there is no risk of rain, snow orbugs, then the tarp 110 need not be used. In addition, if any particularpiece of the hammock system is damaged, the individual piece can beeasily replaced without replacing the entire hammock system.

FIG. 3 shows an expanded view of the left side of the cross-sectionalview of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments.

A zipper track 303 runs along the length of the hammock 102 on the outersurface, and is where bottom edge of bug net 108 attaches to the outsideof the hammock 102 via zipper track 305 (also 901), a few inches belowthe hammock edge (see FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4)

A zipper track 302 also runs along the inner surface of the hammock 102,and is where the zipper track that runs along the edge of over quilt 304(also 502) is attached to inside of hammock 102.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary side view of a hammock system, according tosome embodiments. The bug net zipper track 203, connects the top of thebug net 108 to the bottom of the tarp 110 (also the connection of 1001and 904). The two lines 210A and 210B extending on either side of thetarp 110 connect the tarp to the two trees to create the ridge 114 shownin FIG. 1. The two lines 212A and 212B connect the hammock 102 to thetwo trees. The under quilt 104 is disposed below the hammock. The bugnet is bunched around the foot end 202 and the head end 201 of thehammock.

FIG. 4 shows an expanded view of foot end of the hammock system,according to some embodiments. The bug net 108 is bunched 404 around theend of the hammock where the zipper 402 (e.g., zipper track 305 joinedto zipper track 303 shown in FIG. 3) that connects the bug net 108 tothe hammock 102 terminates. In some embodiments, the bug net 108 can bebunched within a few inches, or at the end of the hammock.

A line/shoelace passes through the foot end edge of under quilt 406. Theline/shoelace passes through a hole 405 in either side of the hammock102 near the foot end of the hammock. The holes 405 are just big enoughto let a line/shoelace through semi-snugly. The holes 405 are strongenough so they will hold the entire foot end of the under quilt 104 inplace without compromising the integrity of the hammock 102. The holes405 may be reinforced to ensure they are structurally sound and toensure that the holes 405 do not enlarge as a result of forces from theline/shoelace. In one embodiment, this is accomplished with webbingattached from the end of the hammock 102 to the holes 405 in the hammock102, with tiny holes in the webbing/hammock sidewall for theline/shoelace to pass through.

The line/shoelace can be drawn tighter (or let loose) according to howmuch of the line/shoelace is pulled inside of hammock 102. As mentionedabove, the line/shoelace is used to draw tight or let loose the foot endof the under quilt under the foot end of the hammock (e.g., such thatwhen loose, air flows between hammock and under quilt, which provides acooler sleep; when tight, the under quilt's insulative properties aremaximized, providing the warmest sleep). The line/shoelace can also beused to suspend under quilt under hammock, and/or can also be used tocompress over quilt foot pillow 505 over which it is tied 802, providinga thermal seal at the foot end of the hammock system, which is discussedin more detail below.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary over quilt for a hammock system, according tosome embodiments. The over quilt has two over quilt zipper tracks 502(also 304) which are used to connect the over quilt to the zipper trackson the inside surface of the hammock (as seen in FIG. 3, 302). At thehead-end termination of the two over quilt zipper tracks 502, can be anunzippered edge of the over quilt 503, configured to drop down from thezipper track 304, when the two over quilt zipper tracks 502 are fullyzipped. The unzippered edge of the over quilt 503 can have a shape andsize determined by best function. The unzippered edge of the over quilt503 can provide a thermal seal, when tucked around, for example, theneck of the sleeper, while the sleeper is also being warmed under theover quilt (e.g., with the sleeper's head out, such that the sleeper canbreathe the cool night air). The unzippered edge of the over quilt 503can be shaped as shown in FIG. 5, and may be somewhere between 12 and 20inches in length, as shown by the length 504. However, in someembodiments the length may be shorter or longer. The over quilt also hasan over quilt foot pillow 505 which is described in more detail below.

FIG. 6 shows an expanded view of the over quilt foot pillow 505,according to some embodiments. The over quilt foot pillow 505 isdesigned and shaped for its function. The over quilt foot pillow 505 isdesigned to fill the inside of the foot end of the hammock, so that whenthe line/shoelace which comes from the foot end of the under quilt, andpasses through the hammock is tied over the over quilt foot pillow 505no cold air is allowed to enter at the foot end of the hammock system.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the under quilt of the hammock system,according to some embodiments. The under quilt has a head end 704 and afoot end 705. The head end can, for example, be configured in a mannerstandard to hammock under quilts. In one embodiment, the head end 704 ofthe under quilt has a corner support stretch cord 701 and an end edgestretch cord 703. The end edge stretch cord 703 is used to draw the headend 704 of the under quilt tight. The corner support stretch cord 701pulls the corners of the under quilt towards a carabiner at the end ofthe hammock to assist in positioning the under quilt. The under quiltmay also have a side edge stretch cord 702. The side edge stretch cord702 passes through and along the edges of the under quilt 104A. The sideedge stretch cord 702 functions like a drawstring to draw the top of theunder quilt 106 towards the bottom of the hammock 102. The side edgestretch cord may be secured with a toggle for tightening or looseningthe loop (or other suitable device to clamp the stretch cord) to allowfor easy adjustment. The foot end 705 of the under quilt has beenmodified so that a corner support stretch cord, which is often requiredin under quilts, is not needed. The foot end 705 edge of the under quilthas a line/shoelace 706 which passes through it and functions like adrawstring. The line/shoelace 706 is described in more detail below. Theline/shoelace 706 is meant to mount the foot end of the under quilt 104to the foot end of the hammock 102, drawing the end of the under quilt104 tight, and compressing the over quilt foot pillow 505 into the endof the hammock 102. This is accomplished by passing the line/shoelace706 through the tiny holes 405 in the sides of the foot end of thehammock, and tying it over the over quilt foot pillow 505. The underquilt 104 can have a down or synthetic fill, and can be made of anymaterial being used for lightweight, quality backpacking hammock underquilts.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary top view of the foot end of a hammock system,according to some embodiments. Over quilt foot pillow 505 is a wedge ofover quilt material, which can be made to conform to the inside of theend of the hammock, providing an insulative seal at the sleeper's feet.Over quilt foot pillow 505 can be compressed against the hammock 102when line/shoelace 706 is tied over the over quilt foot pillow 505 asindicated at the location 802 where the line/shoelace 706 extendingthrough the holes 405 can be tied, to suspend the under quilt 104. Theover quilt zipper track 304 terminates where the over quilt foot pillow505 is formed. In this exemplary embodiment, the over quilt zipper track304 ends at the holes 405 in the hammock sides. The bug net zipper track305 goes to both ends of the hammock 102 so that the bug net may bedrawn tight and bunched 404 at the ends, and beyond the over quilt footpillow at the foot end.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary side/quarter view of a cylindrical-like bugnet 108 for a hammock system, according to some embodiments. The twobottom zipper tracks 901 (also 305) on the bug net connect to hammock inzipper tracks 303. The bottom of the bug net 902 includes parts whichhold drawstrings 903 (the drawstrings could be, e.g., a line/shoelace)at the ends of the hammock (also 404 in FIG. 4). The top of the bug netzipper track 904 connects with the underside of the tarp (e.g., via thebug net zipper track 203 shown in FIG. 2, 1001 in FIG. 10). The bug netcan have tiny loops on the sides for configuration of the bug net, forexample to spread the bug net using cords or lines.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary bottom view of a tarp for a hammock system,according to some embodiments. The zipper track 1001 can be used toconnect the bug net zipper track 203 (904 in FIG. 9). The two endcorners of the tarp 1002 are indicated, which can be disposed over thehammock ends that connect to two trees when the tarp is set up. The endcorners 1002 are connected to the two trees with lines, e.g., which canbe tied at or above hammock tie off. The four side corners of the tarp1004 are attached to lines that secure the sides of the tarp 1000. Forexample, the lines connected to the corners 1004 can be stretchedapproximately perpendicular and/or in a splayed configuration (e.g., asseen in FIG. 1) to the hammock lay, and attached to stakes in theground, tree branches, and/or anything else sufficient to secure thelines.

It is to be understood that the disclosed subject matter is not limitedin its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the description orillustrated in the drawings. The disclosed subject matter is capable ofother embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in variousways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the disclosed subject matter.

Although the disclosed subject matter has been described and illustratedin the foregoing exemplary embodiments, it is understood that thepresent disclosure has been made only by way of example, and thatnumerous changes in the details of implementation of the disclosedsubject matter may be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the disclosed subject matter.

What is claimed:
 1. A hammock system comprising: a bug net comprising: a first zipper track extending along a part of an edge of the bug net; and a second zipper track extending along a part of an edge of the bug net; a hammock comprising a head end, a foot end, an inner side, and an outer side, wherein: the inner side comprises a third zipper track and a fourth zipper track extending along the inner side at least part of a distance from the head end to the foot end; and the outer surface comprises a fifth zipper track and a sixth zipper track extending along the outer surface at least part of a distance from the head end to the foot end, the fifth zipper track is configured to zip together with the first zipper track, and the sixth zipper track is configured to zip together with the second zipper track; and an over quilt comprising a head end, a foot end, a right side, and a left side, wherein: the right side of the over quilt comprises a seventh zipper track configured to zip together with the third zipper track; and the left side of the over quilt comprises an eighth zipper track configure to zip together with the fourth zipper track.
 2. The hammock system of claim 1, further comprising: a tarp comprising a top side and a bottom side, wherein: the bottom side of the tarp comprises a ninth zipper track; and wherein a top edge of the bug net further comprises a tenth zipper track configured to zip together with the ninth zipper track.
 3. The hammock system of claim 1, wherein the over quilt further comprises an over quilt foot pillow located at the foot end of the over quilt.
 4. The hammock system of claim 1, wherein the bug net is bunched around the head end and the foot end of the hammock.
 5. The hammock system of claim 4 wherein the bug net further comprises drawstrings which are used to bunch the bug net around the head end and the foot end of the hammock.
 6. The hammock system of claim 2, wherein the over quilt further comprises an over quilt foot pillow located at the foot end of the over quilt.
 7. The hammock system of claim 6 further comprising: an under quilt; and a fastening member having a left end and a right end, wherein: the fastening member passes through the foot end of the under quilt; the left end of the fastening member and the right end of the fastening member pass through holes in the hammock from the outer surface of the hammock to the inner surface of the hammock; and the fastening member is fastened above the over quilt foot pillow.
 8. The hammock system of claim 7 wherein the holes in the sides of the hammock are reinforced.
 9. The hammock system of claim 7 wherein the fastening member is a shoelace.
 10. The hammock system of claim 7 wherein the fastening member is a line.
 11. The hammock system of claim 3 further comprising: an under quilt; and a fastening member having a left end and a right end, wherein: the fastening member passes through the foot end of the under quilt; the left end of the fastening member and the right end of the fastening member pass through holes in the hammock from the outer surface of the hammock to the inner surface of the hammock; and the fastening member is fastened above the over quilt foot pillow.
 12. The hammock system of claim 11 wherein the holes in the sides of the hammock are reinforced.
 13. The hammock system of claim 11 wherein the fastening member is a shoelace.
 14. The hammock system of claim 11 wherein the fastening member is a line.
 15. A hammock system comprising: a hammock comprising a head end, a foot end, an inner side, and an outer side, wherein: the inner side comprises a first zipper track and a second zipper track extending along the inner side at least a part of a distance from the head end to the foot end; and an over quilt comprising a head end, a foot end, a right side, and a left side, wherein: the right side of the over quilt comprises a third zipper track configured to zip together with the first zipper track; and the left side of the over quilt comprises a fourth zipper track configure to zip together with the second zipper track.
 16. A hammock system comprising: a hammock comprising a head end, a foot end, an inner surface, and an outer surface; an over quilt comprising a head end, a foot end, a right side, and a left side, wherein: the over quilt further comprises an over quilt foot pillow located at the foot end of the over quilt; an under quilt; and a fastening member having a left end and a right end, wherein: the fastening member passes through the foot end of the under quilt; the left end of the fastening member and the right end of the fastening member pass through holes in the hammock from the outer surface of the hammock to the inner surface of the hammock; and the fastening member is fastened above the over quilt foot pillow.
 17. The hammock system of claim 16 wherein the holes in the side of the hammock are reinforced.
 18. The hammock system of claim 16 wherein the fastening member is a shoelace.
 19. The hammock system of claim 16 wherein the fastening member is a line. 